Any tips on water training?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rachael & Waffle on
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Well, don't do what my dad did and just toss him in the pool! He had a lifevest, though, don't worry. He only goes in up to his chest now in any body of water. I think we can start over this summer, firstly by making his lifevest seem like the best thing ever. The best way I've heard is to lure them in with their favorite food or toy, making it inch by inch until they're in up to a satisfactory level.
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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Honestly...my boyfriend just took Henry and waded out maybe 6 feet and then gently put him down in the water. He only had to swim maybe 2 or 3 feet before his feet could touch the bottom. He swam like a fish after that. I can't say it's the most recommended method but it worked for us lol. We'll have to see how it goes with Luke this summer.
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn and Gracie on
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Well I have a pool and didn't want to worry that Gracie would fall in and drown when I was out. so I heard that it's good to train them how to get out of the pool. I got in by the stairs and a friend dropped her in at the other end. At first she was shocked but I loudly called her to me and instinct took over and she swam to the stairs. From there I would lift her into the water and hold her while she paddled around taking her away from the stairs and then encouraging her to swim to the stairs. She still won't get in the pool by herself, it requires lifting her onto the top step but she has fun fetching a toy over and over again leaping off the step. I'd put a lifevest on her at the beach. I don't think they're powerful swimmers and a wave could take them away.
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Permalink Reply by Nicole and Kiba on
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Kiba hated baths (just hates showers now...I think it's the running water he hates) and hated the river the first time I took him, and I was worried that he would always be scared of water. During the winter I took him with me when I went to go dog sit for a friend and they had one of those blue plastic kid pools outside for their dogs to drink out of. I don't know what happened, but he came running inside and was wet and muddy. Every time after that while we were there, he was inside that pool playing. Now he plays in the bath, as long as there is no running water, and in his turtle pool...even loves to stick his face under the water and attack the water lol. Just over the weekend, I took him to the river to see if he would love it as much as his pool. At first he was a little scared, but the moment I threw his ball into the water (at least to the point where he could walk) he was a fish! He would even swim into the current to get his ball or to the kids that were playing further out lol.
Just take it slow with the water and let him go at his own pace. I think Laura's advice should be good to start with to see how things go. You could also try sitting in the pool, or at least stand, to reassure him that it's safe and you will be right next to him to "save/protect" him if anything happens. I hope it all works out!
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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Hi Bob, walk parallel along the shoreline, have 1st class treats with you, gradually increase your depth, pay attention to the waves, keep his eyes on you, he'll soon forget the waves.
Dogs can see underwater, even fetch.
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Permalink Reply by Bob and SparkPlug on
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That did not go well!!!! I got home from work and got into the pool. I coaxed Sparky over to the edge with no problem. He was licking my face and enjoying things until... After a few minutes of lots of praise, I picked him up and held him over the water. I walked with him in my arms for a few minutes, still giving lots of praise. Then I put him in the water very slowly, near the steps. I have never seen those stubbies move so fast before!!!!! He got a gulp of water and about flew out of the pool! Heck, he's never even had to go up or down stairs. He had NO problem getting up! I was able to pry him out of the corner from behind the potted plants and tried it again. He needs his claws trimmed. He again got a mouth full of water and swam to the edge. Not the edge with the stairs. He was scared to death. I could see it in his eyes. I got him to the stairs and he shot out like a rocket. Back behind the plants. Poor guy. After I dried him and fed him, he is acting like it never happened. Gnawing on his antler at my feet at this moment. Unconditional love. I think I'll let it go for now.
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Oh my gosh, sorry, but I could picture this and it cracked me up. Maybe starting with the wading pool would be better. There are lots of floaty toys and Gracie loved hopping in to chase hers. Have you seen the Corgi Flop video on YouTube? it's priceless. And if you'd like to see my girl in action use keywords Gracie Corgi Phoenix to search.
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The belly flop videos are hilarious!
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Aren't they? :) there's one of my Gracie paddling in a fountain in Sedona...Tlaquepaque.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Common problem, even with dogs that are bred for the water. My father's had some retrievers who were reluctant to go in as pups.
Like most things, the surest way to make sure you have a water dog is bring them in the water when they are in their socialization window (before 16 weeks old). Many of us don't do that.
I have one who swims like a fish, and she was a winter pup so I'm sure she was not in the water as a baby. Maddie will swim and swim til she's shivering and exhausted and then you need to leash her up and drag her away, quite literally screaming. When she spies a lake she starts squealing and trying to get to it. Funnily enough, she thinks the water is terribly perilous to us humans and will bark and jump to herd people away from the edge.
Jack loves wading but does not seem to like to swim. He will swim for me if I ask him to (he's such a momma's boy and will do anything to try to please me) but he has a very worried look in his eyes the whole time he swims, even though he seems proficient at it. So much as I wish he would go in with Maddie and chase sticks and have a blast, I have resigned myself to just letting him putter around at the edge.
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Well now when I go in the pool, Sparky cowers in the corner of the lanai, behind a potted plant. He is literally shaking. I may have ruined him. I try to calm him, but he is shaking so bad he can barely stand. I have no idea what to do.
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oh no. Just give it time, I guess. Sparky is so cute. maybe a kiddie pool? throw in a floating toy?
My crazy dog runs around the pool barking her head off when I'm in it. If I really want to swim I have to shut her in the house. I'm not sure if she's trying to herd me while I'm in the water or she's concerned for my welfare or if she's just a nutcase. :)
good luck you two.
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